The report was presented by the Very Rev. D. Carter with the assistance of Bishop Crabb, Bishop Short and Dean Cooper.
a) Common Baptismal Certificate
The Certificate of Christian Baptism will be reviewed by the Joint Working Group. Concern was expressed about the wording "with flowing water, by pouring, sprinkling or immersion."
b) Agreed Statements
The Committee wishes to enquire from the National Executive Council whether The United Church of Canada and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Canada have been officially informed of the General Synod 1975 endorsement of the Windsor and Canterbury Statements on Eucharist and Ministry, and if an official statement can be expected from them.
The Doctrine and Worship Committee was assured that the Churches will be informed officially.
c) Initiation
The Doctrine and Worship Committee requests that the Joint Task Force of the House of Bishops and the Doctrine and Worship Committee meet soon and give priority to reconciliation of the divergent elements responsible for the existing situation.
The Doctrine and Worship Committee reminds the Joint Task Force of the initial suggestions put forward by the Committee in 1974 towards a temporary accommodation. These included possible adaption of either the Prayer Book initiation rites or those proposed in 1973, and of the Bishops' Guidelines.
The Doctrine and Worship Committee requests that the Joint Task Force also give consideration to the proposed amendment of Canon 14 referred to the Doctrine and Worship Committee by Act 76 of General Synod, 1975.
Act 76
That a new Section 5 be added:
5.1 The rubric at the end of the Service of Confirmation is deleted.
5.2 The following is inserted as the last rubric prior to the service of Holy Communion:
"All baptized Christians who, with reasonable understanding, reverently and penitently seek to partake of the Holy Communion are entitled to do so."
The Doctrine and Worship Committee recommends that the National Executive Council refers the substance of the Caledonia and Calgary resolutions to the Joint Task Force on Christian Initiation, with the request that it act promptly to bring suitable recommendations to the House of Bishops, to the Doctrine and Worship Committee, and (if possible) to the General Synod 1977.
Text
That this be referred to the Joint Task Force of the Doctrine and Worship Committee and the House of Bishops. CARRIED
The report of the Partners in Mission was presented by Mrs. Kay Childs.
Partners in Mission concept was ennunciated at the Anglican Consultative Council meeting in Dublin in 1973. The National Executive Council meeting in November 1974 included a Partners in Mission consultation. A number of Canadian Anglicans have attended other Partners in Mission meetings in various parts of the world.
At a meeting held November 4 to reflect on the impact of Partners in Mission in the life of the Canadian Church those attending were able to identify many areas where Partners in Mission is a reality; ie. General Synod and many areas in dioceses and some parishes. A number of questions were raised for reflection:
- How do we tie in the personal experience of members of consultations into our Church life?
- How is this concept being implemented as part of Theology '76?
- Once Partners have been established - how do we sustain relationships?
- What difference has the Partners in Mission made to you? to your parish? to your diocese? to the committees on which you serve?
- What are you personally doing about Partners in Mission?
- What do we want to get out of a Partnership?
- What are we willing to give to a Partnership?
- Are partners only overseas? What about Diocese to Diocese? Parish to Parish?
- How do we choose partners?
Text
That this report on Partners in Mission be received. CARRIED
Notes
Moved by Carter, seconded by Brown,
That we have a complete report at the next meeting of the National Executive Council from all the delegates who have attended Partners in Mission events. CARRIED